Headlamp adjusting mechanism

Abstract

A mechanism for adjusting either the vertical or side-to-side tilt of a vehicle headlamp assembly of the type having two replaceable bulbs in a single housing. The adjusting mechanism comprises a housing, a horizontally movable cam mounted in the housing and operable to adjust the headlamp when shifted linearly back and forth, and a vertically movable cam adapted to be actuated by a screw and operable to shift the horizontally movable cam back and forth.

I claim: 
     
       1. The combination of, a frame, a vehicle headlamp, and mechanism for adjusting said headlamp relative to said frame, said mechanism comprising a housing secured to said frame, a link extending from said housing and connected to said headlamp, said link being movable linearly relative to said frame and being operable when moved to adjust said headlamp with respect to said frame, and selectively operable means for moving said link linearly in opposite directions, said means comprising a first cam connected to said link and supported in said housing to move linearly along a first path, a second cam supported in said housing to move linearly along a second path extending substantially perpendicular to said first path, an adjusting screw rotatably supported by said housing in a fixed axial position and threadably connected to said second cam, said screw being operable when rotated in opposite directions to move said second cam in opposite directions along said second path, and coacting cam surfaces on said cams and engageable with one another to cause said first cam to move in opposite directions along said first path when said second cam is moved in opposite directions along said second path. 
     
     
       2. A mechanism for adjusting a vehicle headlamp relative to a frame, said mechanism comprising a housing adapted to be secured to said frame, a link adapted to be connected to said headlamp, said link being movable linearly in first and second opposite directions relative to said housing and being operable when moved to adjust said headlamp with respect to said frame, and selectively operable means for moving said link in either of said directions, said means comprising a first cam connected to said link and supported in said housing to move linearly along a path in said first and second directions, a second cam supported in said housing to move linearly in third and fourth opposite directions along a path extending substantially perpendicular to the path of said first cam, an adjusting screw rotatably supported by said housing in a fixed axial position and threadably connected to said second cam, said screw being operable when rotated clockwise to move said second cam in said third direction and being operable when rotated counterclockwise to move said second cam in said fourth direction, and coacting cam surfaces on said cams and engageable with one another to cause said first cam to move in said first direction when said second cam is moved in said third direction and to cause said first cam to move in said second direction when said second cam is moved in said fourth direction. 
     
     
       3. A mechanism as defined in claim 2 in which one of said cams comprises a block having an opening formed therethrough, the other of said cams comprising a block disposed in said opening, said cam surfaces being defined by two opposing sides of said opening and by two opposing sides of the block of said other cam, said sides being inclined relative to the path of movement of said first cam. 
     
     
       4. A mechanism as defined in claim 3 in which said opening is formed through said first cam. 
     
     
       5. A mechanism as defined in claim 3 in which said housing is hollow and includes two opposing side walls, and openings formed through said side walls and slidably receiving said first cam to support said first cam for movement in said first and second directions. 
     
     
       6. A mechanism as defined in claim 2 in which said first cam comprises a block, the cam surfaces of said first cam comprising grooves formed in opposing sides of said block and inclined relative to the path of movement of said first cam, said second cam comprising a pair of arms having first and second ends and straddling said block, and the cam surfaces on said second cam comprising projections on the first ends of said arms and located slidably in said grooves. 
     
     
       7. A mechanism as defined in claim 6 further including a bridge interconnecting the second ends of said arms, a slot formed through said bridge and elongated in said first and second directions, said adjusting screw extending through said slot. 
     
     
       8. A mechanism as defined in claim 2 further including means adjustably connecting said link to said first cam for selective linear movement of said link in said first and second directions independently of the linear movement of said first cam. 
     
     
       9. A mechanism as defined in claim 2 in which said cam surfaces are flat and planar, the cam surfaces of said first cam being disposed in face-to-face engagement with the cam surfaces of said second cam. 
     
     
       10. A mechanism as defined in claim 2 in which said first cam comprises a block, the cam surfaces of said first cam comprising a groove formed in at least one side of said block and inclined relative to the path of movement of said first cam, the cam surfaces on said second cam comprising a projection located slidably in said groove.